It was billed as the ultimate contest, but in the end there was none. Confronted by the immovable object of Seattle’s defense at Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver’s record-breaking offense turned out not to be an irresistible force after all. Instead, en route to a 43-8 defeat, they looked more like a sportscar running into a wall.

After throwing 55 touchdowns during the regular season, Peyton Manning managed just one at MetLife Stadium – a consolation toss to Demaryius Thomas when the game was already lost. Even that score was offset by the pick-six that he had pitched late in the second quarter. In a year of empty records, none will feel more hollow than the one Manning claimed by becoming the first player ever to complete 33 passes in a Super Bowl. Thomas’s 13 receptions were also a championship game first.

Seattle could celebrate a far more rewarding accomplishment. This was the Seahawks’ first NFL championship, although it ought not to be their last. Quarterback Russell Wilson, in just his second year in the league, was almost flawless, completing 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was their defense who stole the show, forcing four turnovers. Linebacker Malcolm Smith claimed the game’s Most Valuable Player award after returning one Manning pass for a touchdown and recovering one other, but it was the combined efforts of Seattle’s defensive backfield – the self-styled Legion of Boom – that had suffocated Denver’s passing game throughout a lopsided first-half.

The game began in breathtaking fashion, Seattle scoring the fastest points in Super Bowl history without even touching the ball. After Denver received the kickoff, a miscommunication between Manning and Manny Ramirez on their first offensive play led the center to snap the ball over his quarterback’s head. Running back Knowshon Moreno recovered the ball in the back of the Broncos’ end zone for a safety – limiting the damage against his team to two points instead of a possible seven.

It was the fastest score in Super Bowl history, arriving with just 12 seconds on the clock. The record had belonged to Devin Hester, who needed 14 seconds to return the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a score. His opponents that day, coincidentally, were Manning’s Indianapolis Colts.

The Seahawks made better use of their first possession, driving down the field for a 31-yard Steven Hauschka field goal. Denver could not respond, wasting the good field position afforded to them after a late hit on the ensuing kickoff. They went three-and-out before punting the ball back to Seattle. The Seahawks moved quickly down the field to put another three points on the board.

With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, the Broncos took over on offense for the third time, anxious to stem the tide. Instead, they were overwhelmed by it, Manning intercepted by Kam Chancellor. The quarterback had acknowledged his tendency to throw the occasional wobbly pass during a media session this week, pointing out that “I’ve thrown a lot of yards and touchdowns with ducks”. This one, though, sailed straight over the head of his intended target Julius Thomas, and into the hands of the Seattle safety, who returned it to the Denver 37.

This time the Seahawks took full advantage, Marshawn Lynch punching the ball into the end zone seven plays later on a one-yard carry.

Almost five minutes of the second quarter had passed before Denver’s record-breaking offense even managed a first down, Moreno bursting around right tackle for a five-yard gain on third-and-one deep in his own half. Any hopes that it might prove the catalyst for a quick comeback would soon be crushed.

The Broncos had just moved into field-goal range when they were set back 10 yards by a tripping call against offensive lineman Zane Beadles. Two plays later, on third-and-15, Manning threw his second interception. This one was returned 69 yards for a touchdown by Smith. The linebacker was the first to arrive at a ball that had fluttered off target after the quarterback’s arm was struck mid-release by Cliff Avril.

Trailing 22-0, Denver had one last chance to reduce the deficit before halftime. Once again they drove into Seattle territory but once again they could not finish, Manning underthrowing Thomas on fourth-and-two at the Seahawks’ 19-yard line.

Already the Broncos’ situation looked desperate. No team had ever recovered from more than a 10-point deficit to win a Super Bowl. By the time Percy Harvin had returned the second half’s opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, Denver were down by 29.

The gulf continued to widen, Wilson hooking up with Jermaine Kearse for a 23-yard touchdown with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Yet again that score had been facilitated by a turnover, cornerback Byron Maxwell jarring the ball out of Thomas’s hands before Smith recovered.

Kicker Matt Prater is unable to tackle Seattle wide receiver Percy Harvin on his way to a touchdown. Photograph: Tannen Maury/EPA

For a moment, it seemed possible that the Seahawks might be on the way to recording the first Super Bowl shutout. The Broncos averted that prospect, at least, by posting their first points of the day on the final play of the third quarter. Manning followed up a 13-yard touchdown pass to Thomas by converting the two-point attempt with another completion to Wes Welker.

Denver’s attempt to get the ball back with an onside kick, however, was less successful. After Zach Miller had recovered the ball at Seattle’s 48-yard line, the Seahawks drove straight down the field for another touchdown, Wilson finding Doug Baldwin this time for a 10-yard score.

The Broncos had no more answers. Denver’s offense had won plenty of games this year, but Seattle’s defense took the championship. It was not even close.